One of the wonderful things about homeschooling is that you are able to take last minute trips, even during the typical school week. School just comes with you!

We are having some unseasonably warm winter weather here, so a last minute beach trip during the week worked out perfectly!

We had the pleasure heading to Long Beach, Washington, and what was supposed to be a day trip turned into an overnighter, meaning we could go see more!

My kiddos love the beach, and ESPECIALLY love staying in hotels, so they had a blast!

I had never been to Long Beach, Washington, despite the fact that I have lived in the Pacific North West my whole life. All of my previous beach trips have been to Seaside, Oregon or Newport, Oregon. This was a great experience to have as a first timer with my kiddos!

We spent the first day out on Long Beach. It was a different experience for me, as cars are allowed to drive out onto the beach!

Then we had a wonderful stay at the new Best Western Long Beach Inn. Everyone was so nice and helpful, and we were able to fit in some schooling here, as well as in the car.

On day two, we checked out some of the shops, then swung on over to Seaside, Oregon. Sadly, since it is still winter, many of the stores were closed for the season. Even so, the boys were still able to play at the arcade, walk around, and see the beach!

It was a great trip that the children really enjoyed, and I am so grateful to get to spend time like this with my family!

When I got off work last night, I got in my car and checked my phone. I had received a text from my husband that read along the lines of

We have a f***ing leak in the wall of the house

That is EXACTLY what you want to come home to late at night in the middle of a work week.

I came home and there is water all over the garage floor (great, if it freezes again we can ice skate in the garage) and my husband is cutting into a wall.

After making the wall into Swiss cheese, we found that the insulation in that wall is soaked and moldy, and appears to extend up to the ceiling.

FAN-F***ING-TASTIC

So it’s 9:30, 10 at night, I have no clothes for my workday the next day, no way to take a shower, a sink full of dirty dishes, trying to find our homeowners insurance information to figure out what to do.

We have never had anything like this happen and we weren’t sure how to proceed.

These are the things they should be teaching in high school! What to do when your water breaks(and not because your pregnant).

So we called Jake at State Farm.

Ok, my claims guy is Joe but that’s close enough. Still starts with a j.

Which leads me to this morning, no sleep, sharing a bed with my children (which means I have about 6 inches of bed to myself), washing my hair with body wash (I forgot my shampoo), unshaven (forgot my razor), no make up (forgot my makeup), and in the same clothes as yesterday.

Deal with it people.

If I have to share a bed, at least it is with these cuties

I have no idea what the next few weeks may bring, but I trying know we will make it through. I may be makeup less, my hair may end up like crap, and I may be unshaven, but I am here, alive, and relatively heathy

I cried last night out of frustration and irritation, but today, I’m choosing to laugh.

Because crying over it doesn’t fix it and it just gives me puffy eyes. Which trust me, doesn’t do you any favors when you aren’t wearing makeup

It will get fixed, it will just take time, and I am remembering to be grateful it is just one small area, and not the entire house like my neighbors…..

So laugh when things go wrong, especially all in a row (‘cuz this isn’t even HALF of the week I have had) and have a great day!

We don’t tend to get much snow in the Pacific Northwest, but when we do, pretty much everything is late start or shut down.

Light dusting of snow? Everything will be opening 2 hours late. An inch of snow predicted? Quick, everyone run to the store an stock up, the apocalypse is coming!

We aren’t like the Midwest or east coast who know how to continue to function with snow on the ground.

The snow came yesterday, which made the kiddos happy to no end. But as an adult, it kinda screws up any plans you may have had.

This is especially hard on working parents with kids in school as they suddenly have kids home for the day, no babysitter, and most of them are still expected to be at work.

That’s not what my problem is today though. My problem, by comparison, is not much of a problem. But it’s a disappointment.

I had planned on getting my hair cut, have been thinking about it for a LONG time, and FINALLY made an appointment.

The appointment had been set for today. But yesterday, before there was even a light dusting on the ground, my husband starts freaking out about today’s appointment (this is how bad we all freak out about snow and ice).

First is was “your not going”. Then it was “we will pack up the kids and I will take you”. Which is nice, only then we are putting the kids in danger, just so I can get a haircut.

I held out hope that it would warm up.

So this morning, I figured, ok I will run to the store (a block from my house) and see how the road is to determine if I will make my appointment.

I go out to my car, walking on frozen snow. And I find this.

That is about a quarter inch of ice, freezing my door handle shut. This is what ALL of my door handles look like.

So to be on the safe side, I’m going to attempt to reschedule my appointment for tomorrow, once they decide to answer their phone.

And on the bright side, I get the whole day at home with the family, catching up on homeschool after the holidays, and maybe starting a new painting.

I’m not one for cold weather, but trying to leave for work the other morning and defrosting my car, I was struck by the beauty of the ice on my window. Find joy in the little things and have a great day!

2015 is finally coming to an end, and I find myself excited and hopeful for 2016.

Why it takes the start of a new year to start getting motivated beats me, as really you could start on your goals at any time. Must just be habit and the fact that everyone and their mother decides to ask you what your New Years resolution is.

In general, most years I skip out on New Years resolutions. But this year I actually have a few and I’m excited for them! So, without further ado, here are my New Years resolutions for 2016.

‘Cuz if I’m going to join the crowd, I’m going to do it right.

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS 2016

Start saving money. We have zero savings. Literally. No savings. As a single income family of 4, we are one of the many families that live paycheck to paycheck. We don’t struggle necessarily, but we also haven’t been trying to save. I have a plan for the new year and am excited to see how we do!

Meal Planning. Part of my money saving plan is to meal plan so that I don’t have to go to the store 7 days a week and waste money. They more times you go to the store, the more unnecessary items you buy. I am hoping that by meal planning and only shopping 1-2 times a week that I can cut my grocery bill at least by half.

WORK OUT MORE. Ok. I know this one is cliche. But seriously. I have put on 10 pounds since September, have stopped working out, and eat like crap. Going to get back on track.

Spend more quality time with my children. I love the time I get with my boys. But I often find myself in the trap of picking up the phone and mindlessly playing games or on Pinterest rather than giving them my full attention. This is going to change.

Who wouldn’t want to spend more time with this goof ball?

Decrease my anxiety. This is a hard one for me. 2015 was fraught with anxiety and panic attacks for me. In 2016, I want to work on being happy, calm, and enjoying life.

I may delve deeper into these topics as 2016 begins and I work on these goals, so keep an eye out!

What are your goals or plans for the new year? Do you typically make resolutions and how do you do at keeping them? Let me know!